All Summer Long: Fool's Gold Book #9

All Summer Long comes out tomorrow!  Who is excited?  I am!!  I can not wait to read this book!  I am not sure when I can, but I am going to make the time!  I will explain in a second why.  I can not believe this is the last week for us cheerleaders!  This time has flown by.  I have so much to do this week.   I need to go to these stores this week:

-Target
-Walmart 
-Sam's 
-KMart 
-Walgreens
-Books a Million


The kids & I are leaving to go to a zoo in the state next to us on Friday.  We are going with a friend & her 2 kids.  I have not traveled on my own since I got hurt.  It is a 4 hour trip.  We are staying in a hotel for 2 nights so it is not hard on me driving it all on the same night.  I have chronic back pain.  I will be sharing some photos when we get back on Sunday!!  I can not wait to get there.  Our hotel has a pool!  Who do you think will be reading All Summer Long pool side? Me!!  My husband has to stay home with the dogs & work!!  It is a girls with the kids kind of weekend!

Synopsis:(From Goodreads)

Can a summer fling turn into love that lasts a lifetime? Former underwear model turned entrepreneur Clay Stryker has loved, tragically lost and vowed that he'll never risk his heart again. After making his fortune, the youngest of the rugged Stryker brothers returns to Fool's Gold, California, to put down roots on a ranch of his own. But he's frustrated to discover that even in his hometown, people see him only for his world-famous...assets.

Firefighter Chantal (Charlie) Dixon grew up an ugly duckling beside her delicately beautiful mother, a feeling reinforced long ago by a man who left soul-deep scars. Now she has good friends, a solid job and the itch to start a family-yet she can't move toward the future while she's haunted by painful memories.

Clay finds an unexpected ally, and unexpected temptation, in tomboyish Charlie, the only person who sees beyond his dazzling good looks to the real man beneath. But when Charlie comes to him with an indecent proposal, will they be able to overcome their pasts and find a love that lasts beyond one incredible summer?


In honor of All Summer Long coming out tomorrow & I love the cover, in honor of Charlie wanting a family, I will be sharing my favorite photos of my kids.  


Ethan being cute!!

These 2 are old photos I had in my Photobucket!


    This is Noah!                                            
 
This is Noah as a baby!

Noah & Ethan looks so much a like!  We have to look at what is in the photos to be able to tell which one of the boys it is.  I know the one above is Noah because that is our old sectional we don't have anymore & Noah's hair went darker than Ethan's hair.  Ethan's hair is still blond, but when it is long, it is a little dark.  Once we get it cut, it is blond under it.


Back to All Summer Long by Susan Mallery, here are all her links:
Susan Mallery's Website
Susan Mallery's Facebook Page
Susan Mallery's Twitter  
Susan Mallery's Goodreads Page
Susan Mallery's Pinterest Fool's Gold Page
Susan Mallery's Pinterest 
Fool's Gold Summer Kisses
We love Susan Mallery Group on Goodreads

These 3 Fool's Gold Books are coming out:
Summer Days (May 29): Amazon Here/ Barnes & Noble Here.


Summer Nights (June 26): Amazon Here/ Barnes & Noble Here .


All Summer Long (July 31): Amazon Here/ Barnes & Noble Here.


Keep on Reading Fool's Gold Books!!
Melissa

Feelings!

I got this idea from We Love Susan Mallery group.

*Which Fool's Gold books are these to you ....

*Makes me laugh:

*Wants a happily ever after:

*Makes me cry a little:

*Makes me cry a lot:

*I read this book to distract myself from:

*Makes me frustrated:

*Makes me lonely:

*I am mad:

*This book makes me happy:
*Things could be worse:


I will fill my in later.  I want to see yours first!

Horseback Riding & Summer Nights

Summer Nights is on the Best Seller List for the New York Times!!!! Have you read this yet? It is my favorite book of the Fool's Gold Series. It has reminded me of Ashleigh's Journey with her Horseback Riding. Her struggles with her pain & her disease, Spastic Paraparesis. Shane (one of the main characters in the book) opens his ranch up to give lessons to children that touches my heart because of Ashleigh. His ideas were great. They made me cry. As a mom of a child like my daughter, horseback riding is very good for her & it helps build those muscles.   What touched me the most was the child with burns riding the pony.


Back when Ashleigh started horseback riding (she was 6 years old), she was going to this Ranch. I found out about this couple (Donna & her husband) through her physical therapist offering horseback riding lessons for disabled children at their ranch. They did it for free. It was a way for them to give back. 






A few nights ago Ashleigh started Special Olympics Horseback Riding & in 2 years she will be able to compete  with the Special Olympics. I love where the Special Olympics Horseback Riding is held. They are wonderful. Ashleigh has been riding there for a few years, but not with Special Olympics.  This location also has camps during the summer, too.  This week Ashleigh had Camp.  She loves to ride her favorite horse, Buddy, there!  When Ashleigh was at this Camp on Wednesday, I was asked by a volunteer how many years Ashleigh has been coming.  I think it has been 5 years.  

These are some photos from Wednesday's Camp:

Summer Nights is my favorite book in the entire Fool's Gold series! Way to go Susan Mallery!!

Melissa

Book Review: Summer Nights: Fool's Gold Book #8

Here is my  book review for the Romance Challenge, my review for the Cupcake War Challenge,  & The TBR Double Dare.  I decided to do this all in 1 post instead of 5 separate posts.  I will keep the # I read at the bottom for each Challenge so I know what I am doing! 

For this review, I chose Summer Nights by Susan Mallery.  I loved this book.  It is my favorite in the entire Fool's Gold Series!!  Summer Nights is a great summer read.  Annabelle is a caring, sweet friend & granddaughter.  I love that Annabelle wants to learn how to ride a horse for her fundraiser.  Shane is a cowboy!!  So many woman would love to be with him!!  Shane wants Annabelle & Annabelle wants him!! Summer Nights touched my heart a lot.

I love how Susan Mallery has dedicated Summer Nights to librarians.  The librarians in my area are so wonderful.  I am in the middle of planning a fundraiser that I can not wait to do.  It is at the library that my family lived near for 12 years.  We got to know the Children's librarian over the years.  When you go to the library, you ask the librarian what book is good.  I know we have done that plenty of times for me & the kids.  They have been wonderful in talking about what books are very good to read.  If you are a librarian & has not read Summer Nights, then please do so.  It is a great book!  You will not be disappointed!!

                                                               Source: allaboutfoolsgold.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Spoiler Warning: If you have not read this book, stop!  Read the book before reading the rest of my review!!

Summer Nights touched my heart a lot.  I love how Shane got rope into more than he wanted to.  His ideas was great to have the kids come to his ranch for horseback riding lessons.  I loved when Charlie brought him a little girl from the burn unit to ride one of the horses.  This made me cry.  As a mom of a child like my daughter, horseback riding is very good for her & it helps build up those stomach muscles.  When Ashleigh first learned to ride a horse, it was at a Ranch being offered by a couple for free for kids with disabilities just like Shane in Summer Nights.  Yes, this book touches my heart in more ways than any books has ever done.  I posted a photo of my daughter on a horse from last summer during her Camp to let Susan Mallery know that Summer Nights touched my heart this much.  

Annabelle is very passionate about her bookmobile.  She cares about the people that can not get to the library.  If she could get her bookmobile, more books, computers, & WiFi, then she would be able to do so much more.  But, she has to fund raise a lot of money.  In order to do that, she has to learn to ride a horse & dance on one at the Festival!!  I loved that a little boy ran up to Annabelle with a small jar & said to her "We found 'em and saved 'em. Because you bring us books." (page 31 Kindle) It is so sweet that a young boy is trying to help Annabelle with her bookmobile.  Reading is so important to children.  My children & I do reading nights, but since my migraines gotten worse, we have not had a reading night. We need to start them again.  Ashleigh & I are doing the Summer Reading program at our library.  In Summer Nights, it talks about Summer Reading programs.  I love that.  At the kids old school, they had a summer reading program.  I love that program.  


I love how Shane asks his mom if he knows of any nice girls.  Who does May say?  Annabelle, the one dancing on the bar, but he does not know that.  She is the librarian of Fool's Gold.  Heidi asks Shane if he would teach Annabelle to ride a horse for the festival & he said yes.  May is something with her animals.  So far, the list of animals are: Llamas, sheep, a donkey, & an elephant.  I am not going to say what else is going to join this list!  ;) 


Shane thinks Khatar is a "difficult horse. Or has a reputation of being difficult" (page 44 Kindle), but Annabelle thinks he is a sweet horse.  When Annabelle is at Castle Ranch, Khatar gets out to see her.  


Annabelle was giving herself advice about Shane.  "She had to learn to be herself.  Could she do that?  Could she let Shane see who she was and take things from there?" (page 52 Kindle).  I think that is a great piece of advice of learns to be herself.  You can be be someone else.  


 I love series.  I know this is a stand alone book, but we do see characters from the other books.  We meet Montana again.  She is very pregnant & married to Simon Bradley.  When will she have the baby?  Simon is driving Montana crazy.  If you remember from the book, Only Yours, when we first met Simon & Montana, Simon lost his wife & unborn baby.  He is worried this will happen again.  We also learned about Dakota's 2 children (read the book to find out!!).  We do learn what Montana is having (read the book).


I love friendship between Charlie, Annabelle, & Heidi. They are always there for each other.  Whenever there is a break up with one of them, they are there for them.  Whether it is for Weddings or any of the good times in their lives, they share it with each other.  

When I re-read pages 351-60, I love this part of the book beside the part where Shane start horseback riding lessons.  My most favorite part of the book is at the end of the book.  Shane arranged for the girls to ride their horses in the parade!  What a great way to show off what they learn.  

My favorite Shane quote is:
"I know you're nothing like my ex-wife.  I know you're good and kind and caring and loyal.  I like everything about you, Annabelle Weiss.  More than that, I love you.  I'm sorry it took me so long to figure that out, but I did and I'm standing here to say I love you.  I want to spend the rest of my life with you and our baby."


I skipped a lot of the book on purpose!  Read the book to find out!  You knew I was going to say that right!
Melissa

P.S. Something for you:

1. Who did Susan Mallery dedicated Summer Nights to?
2. Who did Shane see dancing on the Bar?
3.  Boy or Girl for Simon & Montana?  Name?
4. What happened to Charlie?
5. What did Charlie's mother to her/police? 
6. What was the surprise that was waiting at Castle Ranch for Annabelle?
7.  Did Shane like this surprise (#6)?

Does not include this book:

Cupcake War Challenge-  19+1 ( link not sent yet)= 20   (Summer Nights Not sent)

Ebooks Challenge- 10+1 ( link not sent yet)= 11   (Summer Days not sent) 

Romance Challenge-11+1( link not sent yet) = 12  ( Summer Night not sent)

The TBR Double Dare 11 +1 ( link not sent yet)=  12   ( Summer Night Not sent)

Susan Mallery on Goodreads Challenge- 9+ 1=10  (does not include cupcake) (double check this one)

Read Your Name Challenge 2012  

So far-4 (correct)

M  My One & Only by Kristan Higgins

E   Everything We Ever Wanted by Sara Sherperd  

L   L  

I    Irresistible by Susan Mallery   (Irresistible link sent)

S   Sizzling by Susan Mallery    (Sizzling link not sent)

S   Someone Like You by Susan Mallery (changed this one) (Someone Like You Link Not sent yet)

A    Almost Summer by Susan Mallery (Almost Summer Link Not sent yet)

Cupcake's Schedule- (need to catch up with this)

1. JANUARY:           JUVENILE FICTION-   8
2. FEBRUARY:         ROMANCE FICTION-  5 
3. MARCH:              MYSTERIES- 1 (Review coming soon)
4. APRIL:                ADULT FICTION- 0
5. MAY:                  MEMOIRS  0
6. JUNE:                 JUST CHICK LIT (Need to add) 2
7. JULY:                  JUST NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST BOOKS 4
8. AUGUST:            AUTOBIOGRAPHIES
9. SEPTEMBER:      SOUTHERN FICTION
10. OCTOBER:         OWN CHOICE
11. NOVEMBER:       NOTHING BUT INSPIRATIONAL 
12. DECEMBER:       DEBUT AUTHORS

Five Things I Can't Live Without

If you had to choose between all the items in your home & get those items down to Five, what Five items would you choose that you can not live without?

For Noah:
I think the list is easy (let's see if it is):
1. DS
2. Tablet/Computer
3. Soccer Ball(s)
4. Penguins
5. His favorite books

For Ethan:
1. Penguin Bag
2. Penguins
3. Legos
4. Toys
5. Full Cup

For Ashleigh:
1. Horseback Riding (I think Shane from Summer Nights would love my daughter)
2. Her favorite books
3. DS
4. Tablet
5. Drawing items

For me:
1. My Family & Friends
2. A good book!
3. ipad
4. Laptop
5. Cell phone

I am going to do 1 of the characters of Fool's Gold.  I have chosen Denise Hendrix.  I think she would choose these 5 things.  I would love if there was a book about Denise finding love or if she decided to marry Max, her first love from a long time ago.
1. Her children
2. Her grandchildren
3. Her Home
4. Festivals
5. Her books


Keep on Reading Fool's Gold Books.
I can not think because my 8 year is bugging me.  I took his Xbox off him for him painting in my basement the other day.  He wasted my paint that is for a project I am working on & now he wants his xbox back.  My answer is NO.

National Day of the Cowboy!!

National Day of the Cowboy is today, July 28th.  This is found out by one of my fellow Cheerleaders, Brenda, who also made the horse in the photo above.  Isn't she talented?  I think so & I know you think so, too!!

I wonder what Shane would think of The National Day of the Cowboy!  I think he would go!  I think he would tell Annabelle "Let's go check it out!"  She would want to go, too.  Wait, I think Shane would want to be involved, too.  Shane is a cowboy!  

Back to the National Day of the Cowboy, I was looking for the history of this day & I did find it.  It is very long.  I am not going to copy it here.  You will need to go to this SITE to read it there.  My favorite quote is:

In the words of the former President Bush, "We celebrate the Cowboy as a symbol of the grand history of the American West. The Cowboy's love of the land and love of the country are examples for all Americans."

There is also a Facebook Page along with photos & more.  Here is a 4 day weekend including a video Click HERE.

Don't forget that All Summer Long comes out in 3 days.  If you haven't brought either Summer Days, Summer Nights, or All Summer Long, I have the links for Amazon & Barnes & Noble below.  

These 3 Fool's Gold Books are coming out:
Summer Days (May 29): Amazon Here/ Barnes & Noble Here.


Summer Nights (June 26): Amazon Here/ Barnes & Noble Here .


All Summer Long (July 31): Amazon Here/ Barnes & Noble Here.

Keep on Reading Fool's Gold books!

Melissa

Let's Talk About Fool's Gold Part 3 (Spoilers included)

Here are my answers to the questions from the other day:


If you have not read these books, then I am not sure if you should read the answers to my questions.  


SPOILERS ARE HERE!!!


In Chasing Perfect, what did Charity & Josh name their baby? Why?

Charity & Josh named their Fiona in honor of Fool’s Gold.  Fiona was the name of the youngest daughter of Ronan and Ciara McGee, the town founders. Fifi Lane was named after her.  The Founders named the streets after their 10 children. (Click here to read about the history of Fool’s Gold.)  

In Almost Perfect, what are the names of Liz nieces & her son?  Why did she not tell Ethan about their son?

Liz's nieces' names are Melissa & Abby Sutton.  Her son's name is Tyler.  Liz did not tell Ethan about their son because when she went to tell him, he was in bed with another woman & the other time his wife did not tell him she was by.  

In Finding Perfect, what did Pia & Raoul name their twins?  What is their older boy's name that they adopted?

Pia & Raoul named the twins Adelina & Rosabel (Rose) Moreno.  

In Only Mine, what was Dakota diagnosed with, what was she told about that, & do you believe that? Who did Dakota meet?  Why did Finn come to Fool's Gold?

Dakota was diagnosed with endometriosis & she was told she could not have children.  No, I do not believe that. Dakota met Finn.  Finn came to Fool's Gold because his twin brothers (Sasha & Stephen Anderson) came for the reality show that was being filmed in Fool's Gold.  

In Only Yours, What is Montana finally doing with her life?  Who does she meet & what does he do?  

Montana is training therapy dogs.  She met Simon, who is a Pediatric burn specialist.  

In Only His, Nevada is the only one of her sisters not engaged.  How would this make you feel?  Nevada has her dream job, but her boss is her old love.  Could you work for your old love? 

If my triplets were both engaged except for me, I would be sad, lonely, & left out.  I know I could not work for my old love.  The one I can not stand.  If my husband read this, he would know which one I am taking about.  I mean I can not STAND him.  I have other words for him, but we will leave it at that.  He did try to get me to be his friend on Facebook as if I would accept that.  My husband is friends with him.  Oh, Shawn knows him.  They went to school together.  I did not know this until the one day (Halloween) I answered his door & guess who was there?  He was trying to talk my future husband out of marrying me.  Nice isn't he?  Shawn did not listen to him.  He turned it around on him. So, no I could never work for him.  

In Only Us, What does Carina Fiore do for a living & what does she do for the veterinarian? What is the veterianian's name & his daughter's name?

Carina Fiore is a Pet Groomer &  she gets the veterinarian's daughter, Kaitlyn, on the bus, etc.  The veterinarian's name is Cameron McKenize.

In Almost Summer, What does Paige McLean do for Montana & Simon?  Who does she fall in love with?

Paige takes in Alistair that has Measles & he can not stay with Montana & Simon since she is pregnant.  

In Summer Days,Why did Rafe did not want to return to Fool's Gold?  How did Heidi meet Rafe & was she happy about it?  Did you feel bad for Heidi or Rafe about the situation they were in?  How does that feel to have someone like Rafe threaten her home? Do you believe that what Glen did was wrong?  Why?  How does Heidi know Rita?  Were you on Team Heidi or Team Rafe? Why?  Did you love the ending? Why?

Rafe did not want to return to Fool's Gold because of what happened in his childhood.  His father died when he was really young, leaving his mother to care for him, his sister, & brothers.  He helped, but they were poor.  The town helped & he was embarassed.  He swear he would never return.  Heidi met Rafe when Athena got lose & block Rafe's car.  She was not happy once she knew who he was.  I feel bad for Heidi since she finally has a home of her own.  If I had someone like Rafe threaten my home, I would feel scared & I would do anything to protect me & my family.  I do believe that what Glen did was very wrong.  He stole from Rafe's mother, May.  Heidi knows Rita by being in the Circus when she was growing up with her grandfather.  I am on Team Heidi because we need to stick together & a home is very important.  Rafe just wants to win at all cost & does not care, who gets hurt.  I love the ending because Heidi took a chance on love.  She went to his office, made a fool of herself, & how they told each other they loved each other.  

In Summer Nights, What does Annabelle do for the first time in her life?  Who shows up to tell her something that she had no idea & she is not very happy?  What is the horse's name that follows Annabelle around?  What has May been up to?  What does Shane do?Do you like Annabelle's ex husband?  Are you surprised about Charlie's past?

Annabelle learned to ride a horse!

Have you pre-ordered All Summer Long? Are you looking forward to to reading this book, too?  I know I am!

Keep on Reading Fool's Gold!!

My New Neighbor

We have all had neighbors that have been good or bad.  Before we moved, our one neighbor was AWESOME!  Did I say AWESOME?  He was!  When Shawn was at work & I needed something, he would help me.  


Tell me about your neighbors- good or bad!


Keep on Reading Fool's Gold!
Melissa

God Bless!

Instead of talking about the Fool's Gold books tonight, I wanted to talk about what happened in Colorado.

God Bless those affected in Colorado.  Prayers & thoughts being sent to those who lost someone or are injured.  I do not understand why people have to do these actions.  This is so sad.

Melissa

Teaser Tuesday: Summer Nights by Susan Mallery

I saw this on Should be Reading & I thought it would be great for me to join, too.  This is my first Teaser Tuesday!!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Should be Reading

Here is what it is all about:

*Grab your current read

*Open to a random page

*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!

*Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Synopsis:  New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery's newest Fool's Gold story proves that wild hearts cannot be tamed... Horse whisperer Shane Stryker is done with passion. This time around, he's determined to meet someone who will be content with the quiet life of a rancher's wife. And the fiery, pint-size redhead who dazzles him at the local bar definitely does not fit the bill. Small-town librarian Annabelle Weiss has always seen herself as more of a sweetheart than a siren, so she can't understand why Shane keeps pushing her away. Shane has formed the totally wrong impression of her but only he can help her with a special event for the next Fool's Gold festival. And maybe while he's at it, she can convince him to teach her a few things about kissing on hot summer nights, too-some lessons, a girl shouldn't learn from reading a book!





Here are my Teasers:
Page 111 on the Kindle app from my ipad.

Teaser #1:  Heidi laughed.  "No, but I've spent my life being frugal.  That's not going to change anytime soon."  

Teaser #2:  "Theirs is not a traditional household, Annabelle thought, watching the exchange.  Most Brides-to-be didn't live with future mothers-in-laws.  But last spring May and Rafe moved in with Heidi and her grandfather.  First Glen and May had fallen in love, then Rafe and Heidi."


This was a great book!!
It is my favorite of the Fool's Gold series.
Keep on Reading!
Melissa

We are here in Fool's Gold, CA!!!!

Previous posts:

Stopping in Chicago 

Moving Part 2

Moving

Second stop....Moving We Go!

We are in Fool's Gold, CA!!!  WHOO HOO!!  We have been here for awhile!  We have been busy unpacking, unpacking, & unpacking.  lol.

Last week we decided to get some photos up on the wall.  I used a technique that I have seen in blogs before.  I wished I kept the link to share with you, but if you see this on a blog, please share.  We outline the photo frame with paper then we taped them up on the wall where we wanted them to be hang.  

Of course, we moved them a few times before we got them in the positions where we wanted them.  We used packing paper, which we have plenty of.  This is definitely the way to go.  No nails being put into the wall without using them.  Shawn put the nails up for us.  We hang the photos up.

                         I really like how the wall turned out!  What do you think?

I plan to add a baby picture for each of the kids on top of their school picture (Ethan has a regular picture on the wall).  I also want to add some vinyl words like love or something else around the photos.

Ethan was mad about something, but I can not remember why.  I had to share this picture because he is so darn Cute!!

                                   I am working on another post with pictures!  

                                         Keep on Reading Fool's Gold Books!!

                                                         Melissa

(Remember this is a Fictional town. We recently moved about 30 minutes from where we were living.  Well, it was over my older 2 Christmas break.  Long story why it was then.  It was to be next week!  I am glad it isn't because I could not be doing this.)